Historic Integrated Circuit goes Up for Auction

An integrated circuit that Texas Instruments engineer Jack Kilby used in 1958 to demonstrate his invention of the new technology is expected to sell for up to $2 million at auction.

Christie's is offering the prototype, which helped create the microchip revolution, at auction Thursday in New York City. Texas Instruments is based in Dallas.

The auction house says the integrated circuit was built by Tom Yeargan, a member of the team that executed Kilby's theories on bringing miniaturization to the period's giant computers.

The integrated circuit is mounted on glass and enclosed in a plastic case belonging to Yeargan. It has a label signed by Kilby, who won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work. It's accompanied by a statement by Yeargan, whose descendants are offering the circuit.

Comments may be monitored for inappropriate content, but the station is under no legal obligation to do so.
If you believe a comment violates the above rules, please use the Flagging Tool to alert a Moderator.
Flagging does not guarantee removal.

Multiple violations may result in account suspension.
Decisions to suspend or unsuspend accounts are made by Station Moderators.
Questions may be sent to comments@kbtx.com.
Please provide detailed information.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.